//------------------------------// // Chapter 14: Swarm of the Century // Story: Element of Balance // by SamSwordsman123 //------------------------------// Fire was back on business again. A while had passed since he and the mares had met Zecora. He flew through the air and sighed in contentment. It was a beautiful day, and the ponies of Ponyville were walking happily in the sunshine while also getting decorations put up. Fire smiled as he saw them coming along nicely felt the rays on his fur. Summer was approaching its end. Fire loved the warm season, it was when he felt the closest to his name. … On the outskirts of the town, Fluttershy was hard at work with her own preparations for the upcoming visit. She was gathering flowers with some of her animal friends. birds and butterflies flew while two rabbits, a mouse, and possum stood near her. She picked up a flower in her mouth and put it in the basket on her back. She then began walking to another part of the meadow and sang a brief, “La, la la, la la, la la, la la.” Fire smiled at the tune which was quite pleasing to hear as he flew low upon seeing her. Not wanting to startle the shy pony he made an effort to make his presence known in a soft way. “Ahem,” he cleared his throat softly. She didn’t notice him as she walked to a hedge that had a few other flowers next to it. “Ahem,” he repeated a little louder. “Oh!” She exclaimed softly as she looked in his direction. He landed a few feet away and gave her a warm smile. “Good morning Fluttershy. Hope I didn’t scare you! I tried to get your attention as softly as possible.” “Oh, good morning, Fire Sword,” Fluttershy said giving a smile of her own, he thought she had a light blush on her cheeks. “Thank you for announcing yourself softly.” “Well, I know how you are,” Fire Sword said. “Shy. But that’s not a bad thing. You’re just as kind as you are shy.” She giggled slightly. “Thank you.” “How is the flower collecting going?” Fire asked. “Very good I think,” Fluttershy before she suddenly felt a light tug on her tail and looked to see her squirrel friend with another flower. It was a white dandelion, not bad looking by any means but- “Thank you, little squirrel,” she said kindly. “But remember… these flowers are for Princess Celestia. Only the prettiest ones will do.” At that moment a light gust of wind blew over them and the squirrel’s dandelions petals were blown off. It’s body quickly wilted and the squirrel hid it behind its back and went off to find another one. Fluttershy turned back to Fire. “Um, I was just about to take a break. Would you care for an apple or two? I have some nearby in case I got hungry. A Sheriff should keep his strength up as well.” “Sure,” Fire said. “I’m always up for an apple. Thank you, Fluttershy.” “You’re welcome, Fire. This way,” Fluttershy said before leading him. She led him to where she had her bucket while singing softly and happily. “La, la la, la la, la la, la la.” “Wow, you have a lovely singing voice,” Fire complimented. She blushed. “Oh, thank you. I usually only do that when I have my animals only nearby.” She continued singing her soft tune as she went over to a nearby bucket of apples. Suddenly a sharp chirp sounded nearby from under a nearby rock. This caused Fluttershy to let out a small scream, drop her basket full of flowers and hide behind Fire, knocking out a single apple from the bucket. The prince was also surprised by the unexpected sound, it was sharp and unfamiliar but not hostile. Sounded like a… A small round blue creature with big green eyes, and a set of four buglike wings climbed on top of the rock where the sound came from. It smiled up at them and chirped again softly. Fire smiled. “It’s okay Fluttershy, just a little woodland creature. I think? I’ve never one like it before.” Fluttershy she got out from behind him and spoke to the creature. “Hello, little guy. You’re right, Fire! I've never seen anything like it before!” The small creature jumped off the rock and flew around them. It gazed at the apple that had fallen to the ground and sniffed it. “Oh, are you hungry?” Fluttershy asked before stepping on the apple and crushing it for the creature to eat, thinking it probably couldn’t eat solid food. “Here you go.” The creature hovered there for a moment then turned its attention to the bucket load of apples. It opened its mouth wide, reaching a size much larger than they would have expected for an instant. It then ate the entire bucket load of apples. Fire’s mouth fell open and Fluttershy gasped in surprise. “I guess you were hungry,” the yellow Pegasus said. Fire grit his teeth, not in an angry manner, but a nervous one. The creature was small, yet it ate a bucket load of apples in an instant. It then nuzzled against Fluttershy’s mane with affectionate chirps and then went into her mane as though it were a blanket. “You're the cutest thing ever!” Fluttershy said as she looked at it. “I can't wait to show you to my friends!” She began walking off. Fire however, couldn’t help but feel worried as he looked at the bucket. Still, this was only one creature. It couldn’t eat anymore, could it? He decided to follow Fluttershy as he continued his patrol. She was good company. … In the library Twilight was busy. “Oh! Hurry up, Spike! This place isn't gonna clean itself.” “It also didn't mess itself up!” Spike objected as he set books on the floor on top of each other. “Princess Celestia will be here tomorrow!” Twilight reminded him as she used a feather duster to clean. “I thought this was just an unofficial casual visit?” Spike asked. “There's nothing casual about a visit from royalty,” Twilight replied. “I want this place to be spotless, and you've barely made a dent in the clutter!” “Maybe you should, ugh, start reading them one at a time…” Spike struggled up a ladder with the books then fell off. “Whoa ho!” Twilight walked over and dusted the books that had just fallen. “Everything's got to be perfect. No time for fooling around!” Spike got himself out from under the books that fell on him. “You know, this would be an awful lot easier if there weren't two of us here getting under each other's feet.” Twilight beamed and handed him the feather duster. “Great idea. You clean, I'll go see how everyone else's preparations are coming.” Spike tried to speak as she made her way out. “Or maybe I should...” He could only groan as she walked out without hearing a word he was saying. Twilight wandered around Ponyville and soon smiled upon seeing all the many decorations around town. Ribbons and flowers were hung everywhere. Then she saw a pair of ponies getting a banner up. But her mood shifted as she saw the letters on the banner. It was good at first, big pink letters saying Welcome Princess… Celest? “What happened to the rest of her name?” Twilight asked in apprehension. A golden pony with a carrot cutie mark nearby answered. “We couldn't fit it all in.” “You can't hang a banner that says "Welcome Princess Celest". Take it down and try again!” she said before running off. Twilight then saw Bonbon watering some flowers and praised her efforts. “That looks perfect. Keep up the good work.” She soon arrived at Sugarcube Corner and stopped at the door which had the top half open. “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Cake! How's the banquet coming?” Twilight asked as she looked inside. Mrs. Cake looked up from her dough she was flattening with a rolling pin. “Uh...it would be coming a little better if...” Twilight looked and saw a large assortment of sweets and pastries… all of which had bite marks in them. There was also a large cake with a crown at the top of it. But that was instantly gobbled up as the source of the bites was revealed to be Pinkie Pie who hummed in delight as she ate the whole thing instantly and the crown somehow appeared on her head, with her having a beard made of frosting. “Pinkie!” Twilight exclaimed. “What are you doing? Those sweets are supposed to be for the princess!” “I know!” Pinkie said, not getting the message. “That's why I'm tasting them. Somepony needs to make sure that everything is tasty enough to touch the royal tongue. And I, Pinkie Pie, declare that these treats are fit for a king. Or a queen. Or a princess! Or a prince! Hey Fire!” Twilight looked behind her as Fire entered the room, his mouth falling open as he looked at all the sweets with bite marks in them. “What happened to all the sweets?” he asked. “Her tasting them?” Twilight pointed her hoof at Pinkie. “Just doing my job,” Pinkie said. “I don’t think that’s part of your job,” Fire said, his mane lighting up a bit. “Is it Mrs. Cake?” “No,” Mrs. Cake said. Fire glared at her and growled, “You need to be honest with her, Mrs. Cake. Pinkie, you need to leave those sweets alone! This is the same as stealing!” Pinkie who was about to eat another whole cake, looked down. “Oh, alright. Thought I was helping out but… alright. I’m sorry.” “Try to control yourself Pinkie!” Twilight said. “You don’t eat something meant for another pony!” “I just can’t help myself when I know it tastes so good!” Pinkie said putting on a smile, her sadness forgotten. But then she looked at the cake she was about to eat and her smile vanished. Fire shot a glare at her and she scurried away from it. Fluttershy then took the opportunity to speak. “Twilight, Pinkie, you won't believe what Fire and I found at the edge of the Everfree Forest!” she then looked into her mane. “Come on out, little guy. It's okay.” The creature she found came out. But Fire’s eyes widened as he saw not one, but three come out as well. A yellow and brown pair had suddenly joined the blue one. When did that happen? Fluttershy gasped, also shocked. “Three? “They're amazing,” Twilight said as she walked over to Fluttershy. “What are they?” “I'm not sure,” Fluttershy told her as they all watched the three creatures begin to fly around the sweet shop. “I'm also not sure where these other two came from.” Fire felt a little worried now. Just one of them ate a whole bucket of apples! “I'll take one off your hooves,” Twilight outstretched her hoof as the yellow landed on it, and she hugged it softly. “I've never seen anything so... adorable.” She blushed as she realized she’d never shown this interest before. “Besides, it'll be nice to have a companion for Spike so he won't bother me so much while I'm studying.” Fluttershy then looked at the pink pony. “Pinkie, do you want the other one?" Pinkie Pie however, stuck out her tongue in disgust. “Ugh! A parasprite? Are you kidding?” “Ugh?” Fluttershy repeated in shock. Fire had been shocked by what he’d seen the first creature do, but they weren’t something gross to look at. “A para-what?” Twilight asked. “How could you not like…” Fluttershy tried to say. Pinkie however interrupted her. “Ugh. Now I gotta go find a trombone!” “A what?” Twilight asked, still confused. “A trombone,” Pinkie repeated. “You know!” She imitated a musical instrument sound then vanished out the door. Twilight sighed. “Typical Pinkie.” The yellow creature flew up next to her ear and she smiled. Fire frowned. “I don’t know. She seemed to know what they are. Parasprite I think she said.” He looked at the last one, the brown parasprite hovered nearby. “Seeing just one of these things eat a whole bucket of apples and not to mention these other two appearing out of nowhere, they give me the creeps a little bit. Maybe they’re more trouble than they’re worth?” The brown one flew over to him and cutely rested on his head with a chirp. Fire couldn’t help but smile as his suspicion melted away. “Okay, they are pretty cute,” he admitted. “And I was thinking of getting more pets for Warm Heart Tower. I guess I’ll take this one.” “Oh wonderful,” Fluttershy said. “I don’t think they’ll be too much trouble, as long as you feed them properly. The one I found was probably really hungry!” “Maybe,” Fire admitted. “Well, I guess we all have our things to do. Need any help with the preparations Twilight? It seems pretty quiet out there, so I think we’re good on security.” Twilight nodded. “Thanks Fire! I could use a little help checking how the others are doing.” “I’ll continue my work as well,” Fluttershy said. “See you both later.” With that, Fire and Twilight made their way to Carrusel Boutique. Inside they found Rarity and Rainbow Dash who was wearing a fancy looking wig, and didn’t seem pleased about it by the grimace on her face. Twilight looked at the outfits on the nearby mannequins and smiled. “Wow. Rarity, those outfits are gorgeous!” “Indeed,” Fire said. “I believe this could be the right time to talk to my mother about you possibly becoming her personal fashion designer.” Rarity gave an appreciative nod and smile. “Mmhmm. Thank you, Twilight, Fire. Nice to know someone appreciates my talents. Hopefully soon all of Equestria will see it once I’m the royal tailor!” “Well, you might become a trainee under the current royal tailor,” Fire said. “Oh, I’ll take it then!” Rarity said eagerly. “Ugh, sooo boooring!” Rainbow Dash said pulling her eyelashes. There were a pair of chirps from Twilight and Fire’s mane. “Huh?” Rarity asked as she and Rainbow Dash wandered closer. “What's that sound coming from you two?” Rainbow asked. Not two, but six more of the creatures flew out of the two manes. They landed on the backs of the two ponies that ferried them here. “Wow, what are they?” Rainbow asked, boy there were a lot of questions right now. “Pinkie said they were called parasprites,” Fire Sword said. “Where did they come from?” Twilight asked looking at the others. “I only had one a minute ago.” “And Fluttershy only had one as well!” Fire told them. “Its like they just multiply super fast! I didn’t see any fly into her mane!” “Uh, I'll take one,” Rainbow said taking one off Twilight’s back before doing the same with one on Fire’s back. “Or two if that’s okay.” “Me too,” Rarity agreed. “Oh, they're perfect.” They were indeed cute. But Fire couldn’t help but be bothered by all the strange happenings since seeing them. First one ate a whole barrel and then eight more appeared altogether. In just less then an hour. Suddenly Pinkie Pie appeared in the doorway. “Does anypony know where I can find an accordion?” Fire heard her but the three mares were busy giving their new pets affection. He was about to go over when the two remaining parasprites he had got in front of him and he couldn’t help but smile at their cuteness. “Girls! Fire! Hello! This is important!” Pinkie called. Fire looked back at her and was about to say something before one of the parasprite flew into his mouth curiously and caused him to gag. “Durgh! Thanks a lot!” Pinkie muttered and ran off to continue her search. Fire looked after her as his parasprite flew out of his mouth covered in saliva. He looked picked that one up in pity and looked at the others in concern. “Hey, Twilight?” he asked. “Yes Fire?” Twilight looked at him. “Maybe we should research these parasprites,” Fire suggested. “I mean they just keep appearing! We started out with one and then three, and now… seven? More?” “Oh, don’t worry, they probably just came in while we weren’t looking,” Twilight said. “But-“ “We need to focus on the preparations for the princess… your mom’s welcome tomorrow!” Twilight reminded him. “I’m sure these little darlings can wait to be researched until after that,” Rarity said. “I think we know all we need about them! They are super cute!” Rainbow Dash added. “Even I can’t resist!” Fire sighed. “Alright.” He looked at the parasprites flying near him and spoke to them softly. “Can you two please not have any more friends suddenly appear on me at least?” They only chirped in response. Fire made his way back to Warm Heart Tower after the final preparations were complete and put his two paraprites in the Aurora’s cage with her. That would have to do for now. Maybe he’d get a separate cage for them later. He filled Aurora’s bird seed holder and then got a set of apples out for the parasprites. “Just in case you get hungry,” Fire said with a smile at them. “Now behave yourselves please.” He then climbed into bed. His mother would be here tomorrow. He’d find out more about them later. Fire just hoped it would be okay. At least he hadn’t seen any more randomly appear since this afternoon. He dreamed a wonderful dream that night as he felt asleep to the soft chirping snores of the parasprites. But in the morning he woke up to a very loud set of chirping and found Aurora’s entire cage was filled with Parasprites!” “Aah!” Fire yelled and got of bed. “Where did you all come from?” He opened the cage and all the creatures flew out, getting on him and the room. He caught a glimpse of Aurora covering herself with her wings. “Guards!” he called. His guards were up in a jiffy. “Round them up!” Fire ordered. They worked hard and after some time managed to stuff all the creatures into a saddle bags that Fire took on his back and flew off with. He soon found Twilight and Rarity with their own saddle bags on their backs. He flew down in time to hear Rarity say, “I see we're having the same problem.” She gestured to Twilight’s saddlebag which was filled with the round creatures from all the shape, and the fact it was moving ever so slightly. “Me too!” Fire said. “Ditto!” Rainbow Dash said as she flew in with the parasprites attached to her, forming a beard on her face of them. She shook them off and then flew off with them in hot pursuit. “Fluttershy knows everything about animals,” Twilight said. “I'm sure she can tell us how to stop them from multiplying.” She and Rarity ran to Fluttershy’s cottage. “Hold on!” Fire called as he flew above them. “Fluttershy didn’t know what they were!” Too late, they were already there and opened the door to see a bunch more of the creatures fly out. “Or not!” Twilight said. Fire growled. “I told you we should have researched them! Can’t believe I fell for the googly eyes on these things! I should have trusted my instincts!” They looked inside the cottage and saw Fluttershy surrounded. “Ugh, do something Fluttershy, can't you control them?” Twilight asked. “I've tried everything I know. I've tried begging, and pleading, and beseeching, and asking politely, and...” Fluttershy stammered. Rainbow Dash grunted. Fire then spoke up. “Okay, I think we’re gonna have to use more force! These things are cute, but they’re clearly more on the lines of pests than pets! I hate to do this but-“ He took all the parasprites in his red magic and drew them. He quickly took them outside and surrounded them in a shield. Taking a sad sigh, he set the inside of the shield on fire. The parasprites screamed as they were burned alive and the mares mouths all fell open. “Oh! How horrible!” Fluttershy said with tears as she looked away. “Sorry Fluttershy,” Fire said with genuine remorse as he looked at her. “But desperate times call for desperate measures.” She sighed sadly as the ashes. “There has to be a better way though.” “If we can't get them under control before the princess arrives, it'll be a total disaster!” Twilight argued. A parasprite suddenly coughed out another one. That explained how they multiplied so fast. “Ew!” Rarity exclaimed. “If you ask me, it's already a total disaster. These certainly are pests! Can’t believe I thought they were perfect! I’m glad Fire has a solution!” Fluttershy suddenly grabbed hold of Fire’s hooves and looked up at him. “Please don’t do that again!” Fire sighed. “If we can find another solution, I won’t have to!” Suddenly Applejack appeared outside on the path leading to the cottage pulling a cart of apples. “Here's all those apples you wanted, Fluttershy, but I still can't figure why y'need so many.” In answer to her question other parasprites appeared and suddnely gobbled up the enter cartload just like yesterday. “Hey!” she exclaimed. “What do we do?” Fluttershy asked. “We have to think of something quickly,” Fire said. “Or I’ll have no choice but to bring on the burn!” Twilight gasped. “I got it! Nopony can herd like Applejack!” “Yeah!” Rainbow agreed. “We can drive 'em back into the forest!” Applejack scoffed in irritation. “I'll rastle 'em up, but I need everypony's help to do it.” She pointed to them all and they nodded. The cowgirl pony then began organizing them. “Twilight, you and Rarity wait over there.” She pointed to her left. “I'll herd the little critters straight at ya like a funnel. Fire, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, you three stay on top of 'em, don't let 'em fly away.” “Aye aye!” Rainbow saluted. “And I can use my magic as well to keep them in!” Fire lit up his horn as the two Pegasi flew up with him. Applejack then flailed her hooves. “Yeeeeeee-haw!” She then charged and began herding them up. With all of them working together both on the ground and the air, they soon had as many as they could find curled up into a ball. Fire then surrounded them in a red aura. Fluttershy cringed nervously at the sight. “Please don’t burn them Fire!” she begged. “If this works I won’t have to!” he told her. “Alright y'all, here goes nothin'!” Applejack said as she, Twilight, and Rarity ran with the fliers following in the air. Thanks to Fire’s shield they couldn’t get out. But then another pony joined them. “Pinkie!” Twilight exclaimed. “Twilight, we don't have much time!” Pinkie told them. “You're telling me,” Twilight said. “The princess could arrive at any moment.” “Exactly,” Pinkie replied That's why I need you gals to drop what you're doing and help me find some maracas.” Twilight frowned. “Maracas? Pinkie, we've got much bigger problems than missing maracas.” Fire frowned as he remembered yesterday with Pinkie knowing about the parasprites. “Pinkie do you know something about these creatures?” But Pinkie didn’t hear him and answered Twilight. “You're right! Getting a tuba has to be our number one goal. Follow me. I said, follow me!” “Pinkie Pie, you are so random.” Rainbow Dash dismissed. “Girls!” Fire said. “I think she’s…” “And you are all so stubborn!” Pinkie replied and ran off. “Forget her ladies,” Applejack said and then looked at Fire. “And gentlecolt. Focus. Head 'em up and move 'em out.” Fire in his frustration, let his shield down. Fortunately, the parasprite ball was still moving smoothly. “Girls I really think maybe we should listen to Pinkie Pie!” Fire said. “She seems to know about these creatures!” “Oh please, Fire! We can’t waste time chasing instruments!” Twilight said. They soon got the ball of creatures into the forest and it rolled off. “All right!” Rainbow Dash said giving Fluttershy a high hoof. Hard. “Ouch,” Fluttershy said as she received it. “We did it!” Twilight cheered. “Nice work, Applejack. And you Fire!” “Couldn't a'done it without y'all,” Applejack replied. “Thanks Twilight,” Fire said. “Even if I did let my shield down!” “No problem. They didn’t get away,” Twilight said as they began to make their way back to Fluttershy’s cottage. “Now let's get back and clean up the mess they made before the princess… your mother arrives.” They soon got back and Twilight continued talking. “Okay, everyone knows what to do, right? We gotta work extra hard to make up for lost time.” Fluttershy landed in front of the door to her cottage and used her mouth to open it. But as soon as she did so, another swarm of parasprites sprang out, shocking all of them as they felt a powerful wind from the critters flying. Rarity knelt down on the ground while Rainbow Dash flew higher to get out of it. The wind blew all their manes. “Where did they come from?” Twilight asked in surprise. “Well, I may have kept just one,” Fluttershy said as that one hopped on her back. She earned mean glares from everypony present and giggled nervously. “Heh. I couldn't help myself. They're just so cute.” She gave the one hopping on her back a nose kiss. “We don't have time to keep rounding up these things!” Twilight spoke hysterically. “What do we do now?” Rainbow Dash suddenly landed back on the ground with a pair of goggles on her head. “We call in the weather patrol.” She flew back into the air at high speed. Rarity yelped as the parasprites began chasing her. Fire took hold of them in his magic and trapped them in a shield again as Rarity covered her head with her hooves laying on the ground next to him. Twilight chased some others down as Applejack took off her hat, looking ready to swat any that came near. “Sorry little guys, but I was right when I said you are more trouble than you’re worth!” Fire said before looking up at Rainbow Dash and yelling, “You got a way to get rid of them?” “You bet! Time to take out the adorable trash. Yaaa!” she pounded her chest and began circling fast in midair creating a tornado. The parasprites chirped in fright and tried to fly away, but she sucked them all up. The others could feel her wind, which was even stronger than the gust they’d felt before. It almost caused them to be blown away. Twilight hung onto Fluttershy’s fence and Applejack bit on her tail to steady herself. Rarity, meanwhile, was hanging onto a log somehow by her hooves. Fire lit up his horn and pulled her closer to him and put a shield around them both. She smiled at him and gave him a thankful hug which he returned. “Thank you, Prince Fire Sword,” she said as they waited for the tornado to pass. “No problem, Rarity,” Fire said. They watched as Rainbow Dash rounded up all the parasprites in her tornado. “Way to go, Rainbow Dash!” Twilight shouted through the storm. “Looks like our problems are solved!” Applejack stated. “They will be with these cymbals,” a voice said. They saw Pinkie Pie approaching with a new pair of instruments. But Rainbow Dash’s tornado sucked them in and caused her to lose control. The creatures then poured out of the twister and swarmed into the town. “Pinkie Pie, what have you done?” Twilight asked as she and the others angrily glared at her. “I've lost a brand-new pair of cymbals, that's what I've done!” Pinkie said. “Will you forget about your silly instruments for one second?” Twilight asked furiously. “You're ruining our efforts to save Ponyville!” “Me? Ruin? I'm not the ruiner, I'm the ruin-ee! Or is it ruiness? Ruinette?” Pinkie tried to find the right word. Applejack ran past her. “Come on y’all, there's no reasoning with that one. She's a few apples short of a bushel.” Fire, again wasn’t so sure as he recalled yesterday with Pinkie being the one to identify the creatures in the first place. “Hold on!” he tried to call, but the mares just ran off. “Hey!” Pinkie called as well. “I'm trying to tell you all that the ruining is on the other hoof. If you'd just slow down and listen to me!” Fire looked from her to the other mares. Twilight stopped as she noticed he wasn’t coming. “Come on Fire!” she shouted. “I hate to ask you to do this, but your flame magic seems to be the only thing that can permanently get rid of them!” “I hate to kill varmints, especially cute ones but we might not have a choice!” Applejack said. “Oh,” Fluttershy whimpered. “Save the day like the noble sherrif and prince you are!” Rarity cheered. Fire looked ahead, seeing the many sprites in the air still descending into Ponyville. They were probably causing havoc already. But- “I think we should listen to what Pinkie has to say,” he said. “We don’t have time to waste on that!” Twilight said. “But she- “Come girls!” Twilight told the others as they ran off. Fire sighed and turned to Pinkie. “Pinkie did you say those creatures were parasprites?” he asked. “Yeah, that’s what I said!” she replied. “So why are you trying to get instruments?” Fire asked. “You’ve been doing that ever since the first one appeared.” “Yeah, because it’s the only way to repel parasprites and lead them away!” Pinkie told him. “Well, that and you setting them on fire with your… fire spell. Or I guess it could be a you spell since it’s what you’re named after?” Fire eyes widened. “What? You should have mentioned that earlier!” “That you’re named after Fire?” Pinkie asked cluelessly. “No about the music repelling parasprites!” “I’ve been trying!” Pinkie exclaimed. “You should try and say ‘I have a way to fix this’ or something like that! Instead of just talking about instruments!” Fire said as he flapped his wings. He heard a brief “Oh, I guess that would make it clearer. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to listen more!” She shouted the last part at him and he had to agree. He flew off in the direction of Ponyville. He saw a flash of light and saw Twilight as the source. The parasprites suddenly stopped eating the food, much of which was already gone in town. The ponies stood there watching, expecting something to happen. Fire was also frozen, did they do it? “Look, tambourines!” Pinkie said as she appeared with another set of instruments. “If you could all just…” “What did you do Twilight?” Fire asked. “I cast a spell to stop them from eating the food,” she told him. A parasprite sniffed a nearby apple in front of a dropped bucket and she gasped nervously. This was a test. The creature looked away from the apple. Twilight sighed in relief. Then the parasprite opened its mouth and swallowed the bucket and apple. It spat out the latter. Then other parasprites began to everything but food. Wooden signs, metal lampposts, roofs of buildings, fabrics, and more. An apple landed in front of Rainbow Dash who scoffed. “Hey, it worked. They're not eating the food anymore.” “Oh no,” Rarity’s eyes widened. “If they get inside my store... everypony for herself!” She ran off to her store and Fire followed. He was worried about Warm Heart Tower, but he had to help his friends first, even if it was everypony for herself. Of course, he was a male. And he would not leaving anypony by herself in this situation. But he could only help one pony at a time. Rarity made it to her store and saw the creatures were already eating up… “My outfits!” she exclaimed as she saw her precious dresses shredded instantly. She began trying to get one to leave. “Go on, shoo! Get out of here, you naughty! Naughty!” The parasprite coughed out a new one, causing her to back away as her store was being eaten around her. She jumped on a stool and let out a shriek of dismay. Fire looked around and saw a flute on a nearby table. “I'll save you my dear!” he declared as he walked over to the table where the flute lay. If music could stop them then he could. Except he wasn’t… “Hey that’s just what I was gonna say!” Pinkie Pie said as she appeared behind him. “Though without the ‘my dear’ part!” Fire levitated the flute up and brought it to his mouth. He grit his teeth nervously. He wasn’t the musical type, but he had to try. He blew the instrument and used his hoofs to cover the holes. A sound escaped the flute, it wasn’t bad, kind of pleasant. The parasprites began to bounce in midair a little bit, but soon shook their heads and continued. “Nice try Fire, but you need more then that!” Pinkie said as she took the flute. “You just stay here and protect Rarity if you want. Light em up as they say! I’ll have enough soon!” Fire sighed as she left. He gathered all the parasprites in the store into a cluster then lit em up. “Ah!” Rarity exclaimed at the sight. Fire watched sadly. “Sorry little guys. But can’t let you eat everything in here.” Rarity smiled at him. “Thank you.” But her expression turned grim as she noticed many of her creations were destroyed. “Oh, but too late for many of them! Please save what you can!” And so, Fire put up a shield around the store for her. “Come on Pinkie!” he said. “Um, how is she supposed to help us?” Rarity asked. “All she’s doing is collecting instruments!” “Exactly,” Fire said. “That’s what needs to be done.” He remained with her, keeping what remained of her home and creations safe. The parasprites were unable to get past his shield. If only he could do this for all of Ponyville. He considered going out there and gathering the rest of them up and was about to when music filled his ears. “Pinkie!” he smiled and lowered his shield. The parasprites stopped eating and began to rock their bodies in midair, completely entranced by the music. Twilight and the others were outside as Fire led Rarity out. They all watched in shock as Pinkie Pie led the parasprites down in a straight line. They walked at the back, all in amazement and embarrassment, save for Fire. Though he wished he’d trusted his instincts in the first place. “Look!” Twilight pointed. Ahead of them, Fire’s mother landed in her chariot pulled by several Pegaus guards. All the ponies bowed low, but Fire merely inclined his head. “Fire Sword, my son!” Celestia greeted him first. “And Twilight Sparkle, my prized pupil.” “Hi Mom,” Fire said as he approached her and hugged her. “Hello, Princess,” Twilight greeted as she rose. Celestia returned her son’s embrace then looked at her student. “So lovely to see you again, as well as your friends.” There was a crash from behind them and Pinkie walked by, playing her instruments louder than ever. They all looked at her. It was certainly weird, but it had gotten the job done. “So... how was the trip?” Twilight tried to defuse the situation as she approached her mentor with downed ears. “Hit much traffic?” “Ah, what is this?” Celestia asked as one of the parasprites landed on her wing. “Oh ho ho, these creatures are adorable. Fire frowned. Could his mother really be unaware of these creatures and the damage they could cause? “They're not that adorable,” Rainbow Dash muttered. Fire scoffed. “Right like you didn’t fall for their cuteness too. Um, Mom, we have a bit of a situation.” She smiled. “So, I see. Well, it appears Fillydelphia was not the only one hit with an infestation. I'm terribly honored that you and the good citizens of Ponyville have organized a parade in honor of my visit.” “Parade?” Twilight asked nervously before hearing the music which could pass as a parade. “Oh. Yes, the parade.” “Which is now ruined,” Fire looked down. Twilight threw him a glare and he returned it. “We need to be honest, Twilight,” he told her. “Even if the truth isn’t what you want to hear.” “My son is right,” Celestia said walking over to him and nuzzling him. “He is an honest pony, much like another of you.” Applejack blushed, knowing the princess was referring to her. “Unfortunately, that visit is going to have to wait for another time.” “It’s not cause of the parade being ruined, is it?” Twilight asked. “No. I have to help Fillydelphia with their infestation. I'm sorry Fire, Twilight, to have to put you all through so much trouble.” “Oh no trouble at all,” Twilight said. “These creatures are the ones that caused us trouble,” Fire said taking a parasprite in his magic and glaring at it with near evil intent. “Before I have to go, would you care to give me your latest report on the magic of friendship in person?” Celestia asked as she put her front hooves on her chariot. “My... report?” Twilight was confused and looked in Pinkie’s direction. “Haven't you learned anything about friendship?” Celestia asked. Twilight came up with something as she watched her pink friend. “Actually, I have. I've learned that sometimes the solution to your problems can come from where you least expect it. It's a good idea to stop and listen to your friends' opinions and perspectives.” One of Pinkie’s instruments crashed, causing them to jump. “Even when they don't always seem to make sense.” Twilight finished. “And you Fire?” Celestia asked her son. “I’ve learned that one should trust their instincts. And not just fall for cuteness when something is amiss,” Fire told her. “I'm so proud of you both,” Celestia praised. “And I'm very impressed with your friends as well. It sounds like you're all learning so much from each other. I do hope your little town will be alright. Fillydelphia has suffered quite a bit of damage from what I hear.” “Guess we’ll have to invite you when our town is repaired,” Fire said. “No hard feelings, I hope? They all did the best they could to make this parade happen. Pinkie even put on a mini parade with the things that ruined it.” “And I do appreciate that. You all made the best of a bad situation,” Celestia replied regally. “I look forward to when we can all get together for certain.” “Thank you, Princess,” Twilight said softly as the chariot began to pull away. They then made their way to Pinkie Pie as the last of the parasprites went into the Everfree Forest. “Hey, what happened to the princess?” Pinkie asked. “Emergency in Fillydelphia," Twilight informed her. “Apparently they got the same kind of infestation we did.” Rainbow Dash said. “Oh no!” Pinkie exclaimed. “Well, have tuba, will travel.” She played another tune as Twilight spoke. “I think the princess can handle it.” “Yeah, my mom can handle anything,” Fire said proudly. “Well, almost anything. Except things are really powerful.” “So you knew what those critters were all along, huh Pinkie Pie?” Applejack asked. “Well, duh!” Pinkie shouted. “Why do you think I was so frantic to get my hooves on all these instruments? I tried to tell you. Only Fire paused to give me a listening ear. In fact, he was listening from the start!” Fire nodded. “We know, Pinkie Pie, and we're sorry we didn't listen,” Twilight apologized. The others all apologized as well, their words mixing in with each other and making it hard to understand. “You're a great friend, even if we don't always understand you,” Twilight said. “Thanks guys, you're all great friends too, even when I don't understand me,” Pinkie said. “You and Fire both saved my reputation with his mother! And more importantly, you, Pinkie, you saved Ponyville! They arrived back in town and found the town… not saved. It was a bunch of damaged buildings now. “Or not,” Twilight said in dismay. “We have a lot of cleaning up to do,” Fire sighed as Pinkie played a trumpet. “Maybe I should have just burned em all right away.” In a dark place somewhere, a shadowy pony opened a pair of bright red eyes.